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By Mayo Clinic staffBone marrow exams are often performed on an outpatient basis, and no special preparation is needed. Just knowing that you're going to have a bone marrow exam can cause some anxiety and stress. Keep in mind that bone marrow exams aren't always painful, and they're over with quickly. If you're feeling anxious or worried, talk to your health care team. Your doctor may give you a sedative medication before your aspiration and biopsy, in addition to a numbing agent (local anesthesia) at the site where the needle is inserted.
Tell your health care team if you've ever had an allergic reaction to any type of anesthetic or have become ill after anesthesia. Also tell your health care team if you're pregnant and what medications and supplements you take.
- What are bone marrow tests? National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/bmt/bmt_all.html. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
- Zehnder JL. Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy: Indications and technique. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
- Riley RS, et al. An illustrated guide to performing the bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Virginia Commonwealth University Department of Pathology. http://www.pathology.vcu.edu/education/lymph/How%20to%20Marrow.pdf. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
- Bone marrow aspiration and biopsy. Lab Tests Online. http://www.labtestsonline.org/understanding/analytes/bone_marrow/glance.html#. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
- Gomella LG, et al. Bedside procedures (bone marrow aspiration and biopsy). In: Clinician's Pocket Reference. 11th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2007. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2694363. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
- Ryan DH., et al. Examination of the marrow. In: Lichtman MA, et al. Williams Hematology. 7th ed. New York, N.Y.: McGraw-Hill; 2006. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2139692. Accessed Oct. 28, 2009.
